FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28. 2009



BELMONT. Calif. (DSC) – Christian Wouden (Mantua. UT/Box Elder) scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds in the second half to help Dixie State defeat Notre Dame de Namur 70-59 in non-conference men's basketball Saturday night.

Wouden played 16 minutes as a replacement for Nick Howard (Sandy. UT/Jordan). who was ejected with five minutes remaining in the second half. Game officials tossed him after he charged them when teammate Ryan Sanchez (Ogden. UT/Fremont) was whistled with a foul.

“I liked that he stood up for his teammate. but he didn't do it in the right way.” said coach Jon Judkins. “Now we've got to stick up for Nick. We don't know if we'll have him for our games next week.

“Christian had a great second half.” Judkins continued. “He did a great job of coming in and sparking us after we lost Nick.”

Perhaps Wouden's biggest offensive play came with 1:45 remaining in the game as he tipped in a missed shot to give the Red Storm (14-11. 7-4) a 10-point lead at 67-57. The Argonauts (6-21. 0-12) had closed to 62-57 on Bennie Murray's 3-point basket with three minutes left. Ben Hartman (Santa Clara. UT/Snow Canyon). who had 14 points. responded to that trey with one of his own just before Wouden got his tip-in.

Sanchez also had 14 points for the Red Storm while Bowie Jeffs (Castle Dale. UT/Emery) added 13.

The teams traded extended runs in the first half before the Red Storm took a 33-22 lead to the locker room. Jeffs had two baskets. one a 3-pointer. to start Dixie State on a 14-0 run which gave the Red Storm a 23-5 lead with 11:50 left in the half.

But Bergeron had eight points in a 17-5 Argonaut run as Notre Dame closed within 28-22 with four minutes remaining.

Jeffs scored on a traditional three-point play and Sanchez connected on a layup as the Red Storm finished strong. DSC had seven 3-point baskets in the first half.

Dixie State will be home for its final two games of the regular season next weekend. The Red Storm will entertain Grand Canyon on March 5 and 6. Tipoff is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. each night. Both games will be broadcast live on KDXU. 890 a.m.. and on the Internet at www.dixieathletics.com.